eBay

daleastern · ‎05-27-2017

I returned an item that a seller in Tn had sent by mistake. I sent select Ground from a post office in Ga. The tracking number says it went to Florida then eventually to the New Jersey area where it stalled. that was early April. I submitted a USPS search request and received confirmation that they were on it. That was May 25 and have herd nothing since.

Is this normal for USPS?

tinsoldierunderground · ‎05-27-2017

Speaking only from my own experience, I would have to say yes. I've had items that I'd bought take the 'scenic route' and drop off the tracking grid or stall as you say (important medications).

Truthfully, I've had USPS reps "get on it" and then never hear from them again, then contact someone else only to have them say that they're 'on it'.

My personal experience, is that the level of concern is highest with the individual mail carrier, and it goes downhill the higher up the chain of command that you pursue things. I don't mean to give a negative response, but that has been my experience.

hafoster · ‎05-27-2017

How would OP settle the missing return --

that was to be delivered back almost 2 months ago?

7606dennis · ‎05-27-2017

@hafoster wrote:
How would OP settle the missing return --
that was to be delivered back almost 2 months ago?

There is really nothing more that the OP can do if he filed a lost or missing mail report with USPS. I'm not sure if the seller can be expected to wait for a return for that long or can they get the return closed since they haven't received it.

Out of curiosity, I'm wondering why the OP used a ground method of shipment for the return. Was the item originally shipped that way?

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

tinsoldierunderground · ‎05-28-2017

I honestly don't know... I can tell you in reference to the medications I mentioned, I wrangled with several supervisors and an inspector who were all 'on it', over the course of nearly 2months. In the end it was mysteriously delivered at the end of January 2017- was supposed to be delivered no later than Nov. 30th 2016. No none could explain what happened or where it went after falling off of tracking. And that's one of my happy endings.

As much as people complain about resolving things on this site, I'll take it any day over dealing with USPS.

myclosettwoyours · ‎05-28-2017

@daleastern Sadly, yes this is very normal. I had your exact scenario last month where a package was supposed to be delivered on x day, fell off tracking into a black hole. I filed a missing package and got the immediate response that USPS was "on it." I refunded the Buyer and inputted into my missing package report that when found to please re-deliver back to me. I got the "Ok, we got it, when found it will come back to you and confirmed my address." 2 weeks later, tracking indicated that the package was delivered to the Buyer. I reached out to my Buyer with an enthusiastic "Yay! Finally package was delivered, either return to me as you have been refunded or repay." She paid me exactly half minus the shipping. That's on her... she got me.

Coincidentally, just this morning I got an automated message from USPS that reads something to the effect that they are still on it and will continue the search. Classic right hand knows nothing of what the left hand is doing.

This does not happen very often that black holes open and snatch packages but when it does, it is pretty frustrating.

Just keep checking the tracking because there is little or nothing more you can do.

tweetystwades · ‎05-28-2017

Hi,
I personally have never had this happen in the US for this amount of time. From your post, I feel like you have done enough. Didn't you say this was sent to you by mistake? Then I think the seller that sent it to you should be doing the leg work. Give that seller the tracking info, and let them follow up on it.

daleastern · ‎05-28-2017

I actually had ordered a car part from the seller and he sent me the wrong part [way wrong!]

The seller is good to talk to. He said send it back and I will return your money plus the postage. So now the part is lost with USPS and I am out both!